Casino Beach in Pensacola Beach, Florida, has been named one of the best beaches in Florida. This white sand beach is the perfect place to relax in the Florida Gulf Coast sun.
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐬Save on Pensacola Attractions, Museums, and Waterparks!
Casino Beach Pensacola Beach
One thing to know is you are not going to find a modern-day casino at Casino Beach. While the name makes you think there will be games, that is not actually the case.
"The Casino" was the 1st attraction built after the Pensacola Bay bridge was built to Pensacola Beach in 1931. The Casino featured a dance pavilion, shops, restaurants, bath houses, and a fishing pier. They even held the Miss Florida Beauty Pageant there.
The original structure was torn down after it fell into disrepair. I read that some of the salvaged wooden beams can be seen at Apple Annie's in Seville Quarter.
Today, Casino Beach is the perfect spot for beachgoers, whether you are locals or visitors, to relax on the white sand while gazing at the shimmering emerald water of the Gulf of Mexico.
Restaurants at Casino Beach
Casino Beach Bar & Grille
Casino Beach Bar & Grill serves coastal cuisine, fresh salads, burgers, tacos, small plates, signature island cocktails, specialty plates, and more.
They have everything you look for in a nice beach bar restaurant. You will find grilled shrimp and fish tacos, coconut shrimp, Margarita Gulf catch, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, grouper, a beach burger, and more.
It is located at the foot of the Pensacola Gulf Pier.
Bear Fruit Bowls and Coffee
Bear Fruit Bowls serves amazing Acai bowls, fruit bowls, and iced coffee and tea. This cute restaurant is located near the entrance to the Pensacola Beach Pier.
Drift Restaurant
Drift servers modern coastal cuisine in a casual fine dining environment. Enjoy crudo, small plates, prime steak, fresh gulf seafood, craft cocktails, and more with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.
The menu is filled with options, including squid ink seafood pasta, Gulf creole risotto, pear braised short rib, Coconut citrus seabass, Sous vide pork chop, and more.
The Dock
This rustic Florida beach bar serves drinks, appetizers, wings, nachos, salads, baskets (shrimp, fried clam, fish, chicken tenders, crab cake), burgers, po'boys, sandwiches, and wraps.
Crabs on the Beach
You can't miss the giant Crabs on the Beach restaurant when you pull into the Casino Beach Parking lot.
This fun restaurant serves seafood platters, scallops, crabs (I know, shocking), steaks, pasta, seafood tacos, burgers, sandwiches, fresh sushi, and more.
Things to do at Casino Beach
While there is nothing wrong with sunbathing, shelling, and doing absolutely nothing on the beach, if you want to do more during your visit, check out these fun things to do.
Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
The Pensacola Gulf Pier is a great place to walk, look for local marine wildlife (dolphins, sharks, stingrays), fish, watch the sunset, and soak in the Gulf sun.
We love walking to the end of the pier to see how the Gulf changes as it gets deeper. This 1,200-foot pier is great for the entire family.
Watch people fish for pompano, redfish, cobia, flounder, tarpon, bluefish, mackerel, and more.
The pier has a walking access fee so you don't have to pay for the fishing license fee.
Blue Angels Fly Overs/Air Show
Did you know that many weekends, the Blue Angels do a beach Buzz over the pier on their way back to NAS Pensacola?
Check out our Blue Angels Schedule for dates that potential beach buzzes may occur. We had the chance to see the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform a super delta over the pier, which was unbelievable.
You can also watch the Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show in July. This event happens right over the beach.
It is truly amazing to see the precision acrobatics performed with fighter jets.
Bands on the Beach
Bands on the Beach is Pensacola Beach's outdoor summer concert series that normally runs from April to October.
The bands perform at the Gulfside Pavillion overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. You can bring your own lawn chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the live bands. These free concerts are provided and organized by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.
Gulfside Pavilion
The Gulfside Pavillion is located at the approximate location of the original casino. This is the Bands on the Beach location and other fun community events.
They also host the Cinemas in the Sand here with free classic family movies. The movies are shown once a month from March through October at sunset.
I love that you can watch family movies while enjoying spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico.
UFO's Mini Golf, Ice Cream, and Arcade
Are you ready to survive an alien invasion? This cosmic course features 18 holes of mini golf. They also have an ice cream bar, arcade, and party area.
If you want something to do at night in Pensacola Beach, check out their golf course light show, which is set to the alien's favorite music.
Footprints in the Sand Eco Trail
There are great informative interpretive panels set up along the beach with information on local marine wildlife. Learn about different species of sharks, crabs, shrimp, shells, fish, and more.
A total of 29 panels are spread around Pensacola Beach. At Casino Beach look for the Sea Turtles and Seagrass Beds panel, Offshore Gulf Fish and Jellyfish Panel, Sharks and rays of the Gulf of Mexico Panel, and the Nesting birds, seashells, and sea turtles panel.
Amenities at Casino Beach in Pensacola, Florida
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Accessible beach mat
- Large parking lot
Why you will love Casino Beach Pensacola
- Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron flyovers
- Fireworks displays (4th of July)
- Perfect beachfront hangout
- Sugar-white sand beaches
- Emerald-green waters
- Lifeguards on duty from April to September
- Perfect vacation spot for relaxation
Things to know when planning a visit to Casino Beach in Pensacola Beach
Address - 20 Casino Beach Blvd Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
Hours - Open year-round
Accessibility - There are blue beach accessibility mats and a ramp leading out onto the beach.
Dress Code/Suggestions - Beach wear. Please bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a beach chair, umbrella to have some sun protection.
Pets - Dogs and pets are not allowed at Casino Beach. They are allowed at the designated dog beaches 21E and 28B. Check out the Pensacola dog beach for easy beach access with your dog.
Parking - Look for the Pensacola Beach Ball water tower. Parking is below the beach ball. One thing to know is that parking is one way to get to most of the lot. We suggest turning into an aisle checking for parking coming back up the next aisle and then moving down again.
If you go too far at the end of the parking lot, you can end up turning back onto the main road and having to go through the traffic light to turn right and back into the parking lot.
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations.
Fairfield Inn Pensacola Beach - (photo above) This hotel has a fantastic pool and easy access to the beach. Book HERE
Springhill Suites Pensacola Beach - Great beachside hotel with epic views of the Gulf.
Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach - Enjoy great pools, Gulf views, and easy access to the top things to do in Pensacola Beach
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Restaurants/Dining and Attractions nearby
Pensacola Beach Boardwalk - Enjoy easy access to Quietwater Beach on Santa Rosa Sound, shopping, and great restaurants.
Peg Leg Pete's - This local favorite is known for great oysters and a fun atmosphere.
Shaggy's Pensacola Beach - Check out this great waterfront restaurant with delicious food and drinks. Pet-friendly outside!
Cafe Bistro - Super cute local restaurant with amazing puffy pancakes
Native Cafe Pensacola Beach - Delicious breakfast and lunch restaurant down the street from the pier.
Best breakfast restaurants in Pensacola Beach - Our favorite breakfast spots on Pensacola Beach!
Pensacola Beach Tours and Activities
These are some of our favorite tours available in Pensacola Beach, Florida
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasaiing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top-rated tours and activities available in Pensacola Beach
Additional Gulf Coast of Florida Articles
Blue Angels Practice Pensacola - Check out where to watch the Blue Angels practice in Pensacola.
Pensacola Lighthouse - The Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum offers the opportunity to learn more about the history of the lighthouse and climb to the top!
National Naval Aviation Museum - Free museum with over 150 planes, aviation history, and free tours.
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, Sanibel and Captiva Island, and more.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
Check out our Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.
Leave a Reply